Nov. 26 (UPI) -- French President Emmanuel Macron told a Monday cabinet meeting that the government must respond after weekend rioting in Paris.
A peaceful protest over rising fuel and cost of living prices led to clashes with police. At least 103 people were arrested and 19, including four police officers, were injured. The violence along the Champs Elysees, Paris' main street and among the world's most famous tourist areas, included barricades, fires and broken store windows. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Shopkeepers, expecting a busy weekend at the start of the holiday season, instead faced riot situations, and Macron referred to the "battle scenes" as damaging France's image to the world.
At least 200 public workers were sent to aid in cleaning up what some have called the world's most beautiful street.
Media reports said that both extreme right sympathizers and leftist groups were involved in the clashes. Michel Delpuech, Paris police chief, said police used 5,000 tear gas canisters, or more than one per minute, to suppress the disturbance on Saturday. He added that fire services extinguished at least 100 small fires along the street.
"We shouldn't underestimate the impact of these images of the Champs-Élysées with battle scenes that were broadcast by the media in France and abroad," government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said, recounting Macron's comments. "Behind this anger there is obviously something deeper and which we must answer, because this anger, these anxieties have existed for a long time."
The protest has embraced dissatisfaction with the Macron administration, which is seen by some as out of touch with ordinary people. Macron is expected to address the protests in a speech on Tuesday, but the planned increase in fuel costs, part of government environmental measures, are not expected to be reduced.
